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Marlins exercise Turner's option, reinstate Ozuna

Marlins exercise Turner's option, reinstate Ozuna

9/14/13: Jacob Turner pitches five stronng innings, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five

By Joe Frisaro
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MLB.com |

MIAMI -- The first order of offseason business for the Marlins is underway, and it started off with a couple of expected roster moves.

On Thursday, Miami exercised the $1 million club option on Jacob Turner's contract, locking up the right-hander for next season.

The Marlins also reinstated outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the 60-day disabled list. Miami's 40-man roster is now at 32.

With the completion of the World Series, free agency is set to begin. On Thursday, the MLB Players Association released its list of 147 free agents who qualify under Article XX B of the Basic Agreement.

Each MLB team has five days to exclusively negotiate with their free agents. Miami is unlikely to sign any of the five in that span. However, Qualls has expressed interest in staying, and the Marlins may want him back in their bullpen.

Free agents will be eligible to sign with other clubs as of 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday.

Retaining Turner was the team's first order of business. The 22-year-old opened the season at Triple-A New Orleans before joining the rotation in late May. In 20 starts with the Marlins, he was 3-8 with a 3.74 ERA.

Turner will enter Spring Training, tenatively set for Feb. 16, as an incumbent who will have an inside edge to win a rotation spot.

Ozuna, who turns 23 on Nov. 12, went down with a thumb injury on July 22.

The outfielder is recovering from surgery to his thumb, and he is expected to be ready for the start of Spring Training.

Ozuna will compete for a starting outfield spot in Spring Training. He batted .265 with three home runs and 32 RBIs in 70 games.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.